Star Wars: The Force Awakens becomes highest-grossing film in US history

Jennifer Ruby15 January 2016
The Weekender

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The new Star Wars film has over-taken Avatar to become the highest-grossing film of all time in the US.

Disney has announced that The Force Awakens has now made an estimated $761 million in North America as of Wednesday.

This puts the smash hit film ahead of previous record holder Avatar, which grossed $760.6 million and sat at the top spot for six years.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens - in pictures

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Making the victory even more impressive, James Cameron’s 2009 film took 318 days to make its total gross while The Force Awakens has only been in cinemas for 20 days.

Globally, the new Star Wars film has made a staggering £1.56 billion, and it yet to open in China.

After a record-breaking opening week, JJ Abrams’ film went on to surpass films including Furious 7, The Avengers and Titanic in the first week of 2016.

Producers won’t have long to rest on their laurels however, as filming for follow-up Rogue One is already underway.

While the next film is due out at the end of 2016, a Han Solo spin-off movie is slated for release in 2018.

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